Page 17 of Devil's Dilemma

I bristle. “And I’m one you fuck.” Clearly not one worth introducing to his brothers.

“Nah, I didn’t fuckin’ say that.” He wipes his hands down his face. “Look, Mel. We’ve got a good thing going, and I don’t want to fuck it up.”

“You met my friends.” I round on him, realising I’m waving a wooden spoon in the air, so lower my hand. “Why would meeting yours fuck us up?”

He stands and comes over, curling his hand around the back of my neck, taking the utensil out of my hand and placing it down on the side. “Mel. These last few weeks have been amazing. When I first saw you, I knew you were going to be something special to me. That’s only become truer the longer we are together. Before we go on with this conversation, there’s something I need you to know. I’ve fallen for you, hard, Mel. I love you, babe.”

It’s lucky his hand is holding me up or else I might have fallen. I’ve been trying to ignore my growing feelings for him, telling myself, it’s too soon, and he’s not the kind of man for a forever.

“Nah, you don’t need to say anything back.” He’s misunderstood my hesitation. “Mel, in my club, well, not sure how you’re going to take this, but when a man takes an old lady, the words are, he’s claimed her.”

I’m listening to his words very carefully, nervous of any misinterpretation. Is he saying he wants to claim me, and if he is, do I want to be claimed?

As if I’d spoken aloud, he puts his finger to my lips. “Not quite there yet, Mel. Just, listen up.” He takes my hand and tugs it, leading me to the couch in the living room and pulling me down to sit beside him. “Remember I told you, the club is a family?”

I nod.

“Well, it’s family we’ve chosen, not one we are born into. We’ve spoken about prospects, how they, and recently I, do all the shit jobs for a year or so, or long enough to prove not only that they’re trustworthy but that they’re a good fit to the club. Anyone joining has to find their place there, we don’t accept anyone in off the street.”

Where is he going with this?

“You expect me to prospect? Or whatever the appropriate term is for an old lady?” I don’t like the thought of that.

He laughs softly. “No, but no one can take an old lady unless she’s voted on and accepted by the club.”

My eyes narrow. “So, we’re dead in the water if your club doesn’t like me?”

He shrugs. “I can’t see any reason they wouldn’t like you, Mel. But if for some unknown reason they won’t accept you, our options are, either we part, or I’ll rethink my commitment to the club.”

Now I’m staring at him, my eyes open wide. Club’s everything to him. I may not have known him that long, but know he lives for his brothers and the life the MC offers. He worked hard for a year just to earn his place. What would he be without it? “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

His hand grasps my hair, and he pulls my head back, leaning in for a kiss. When he’s finished, and I’m released, he tells me softly, “I know you wouldn’t. I’m just trying to explain. And it’s not just my brothers. We’ve talked about the club, haven’t we? How we still wear the one-percenter patch, not because we’re into the shady business of the past, but because we live outside citizen’s laws. You become my old lady? Well, you’ve got to be happy with that.”

That makes sense. It was one of the reasons I played hard to get in the first place. While my unease about what Skull is has settled as I’ve learned more of the man under the leather, if I’m honest, I try not to think about what he might get up to when he’s out of my sight.

I haven’t been around Skull as much as I have not to be able to read he’s leading up to something. “What are you proposing?”

He stares at a point beyond me. “I’m going to tell my brothers I’m seeing someone special. Then, if you’re willing, I recommend you start coming around the clubhouse.” He breaks off and grins. “Bake ‘em some muffins. Quickest fuckin’ way to their hearts. Worked with me, didn’t it?”

I laugh. Well, he’s got a point there.

“You can see if you like them. Get to know the other women and decide if you can live with them.”

“You want me to move to the club?” I’ve got my own place. I don’t want to give that up.

“Not saying we have to. But I’ve got a room there. You can keep this as your home, we’ll split our time between both. I claim you, woman, that means you’re mine. And that means we’re together. Every fuckin’ night, not three or four times a week. We can work out the living arrangements later. But you must understand, being my old lady is like being my wife.”

Wife?It suddenly dawns on me how serious he is about our relationship. Am I as into this as he is? I hadn’t been looking for a life partner. Looks like I might have found one. But isn’t that often the way, I think to myself. Something appears when you least expect it. Shouldn’t I at least give whatever this is between us a chance?

“So,” I begin, slowly, “this is sort of a trial. Seeing if your brothers like me, seeing if I like them. Experiencing your way of life.”

“Exactly.” He pats my hand and smiles triumphantly.

“Hmm.” I think for a minute. Can’t see anything wrong with that. I get a glimpse of the life my man lives when he’s not by my side and have a chance to walk away if I don’t like it. Worst thing that can happen, I find I’m not going to fit in, but better to find that out sooner rather than later.

“Not ruling out, me leaving the club.”

I nod to acknowledge the comment but at the back of my mind know, if I can’t make it in his world, he probably won’t be able to make it in mine.

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